KANNAWIDAN FESTIVAL

        

Ilocos Sur has a rich heritage and unique culture that are to be preserved for the next generations because it is observed that many of these traditions, songs, dances and other Ilocano culture are not familiar to the younger generations already. Children of today are paying more attention to the modern and novelty dances they seen on the television than the traditional ones. There is also a need to evaluate the different products of the different municipalities and the agricultural products and livestock of the farmers and fisher folks. Because of this, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur conceived a festival that will highlight these culture and traditions and attract local and foreign tourists as well. They call it the KANNAWIDAN Ylocos Festival; it is also a time to commemorate the anniversary of Ilocos Sur as a province since it was separated on February 3, 1818.

This Festival aims to create awareness on the preservation of the province’s rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agricultural and industry products.

                  For the community, Kannawidan is the best place to enjoy nature’s gifts; it is the best place to create a coalescing community. Kannawidan is a place for showcasing talents, brains, beauties, and the creative hospitality that we, Filipinos, especially we Ilocano’s have. For the people, Kannawidan is one way for them to experience, know, learn, and love the different cuisines, cultures, traditions, and exhibits of their own province, of their own place. This festivity has a great impact to the people for it shows how their province lived and lives. The activity creates a magnificent influence that pulls people together in one area of the province and makes an amalgamating once in a year experience as traders all over the province and all over the Philippines showcase their wide array of reasonably priced products.

                For traders, Kannawidan is a place, an activity and a way of how their living worked and works. Kannawidan is a place for showcasing products like furniture, crafts, cuisines, the province’s OTOP, and products coming from external towns and/or provinces. Kannawidan is an activity that unites dealers/merchants to one place and creates a market of beauty, food, and creativity.